Internet-delivered management of pain among cancer treatment survivors (IMPACTS WF-1901).
Authors: Megan Irby, Glenn Jay Lesser, Donald Penzien, Emily Van Meter Dressler, Christine Rini, Francis Keefe, Anna Snavely, Dennis Ang, Suzanne Danhauer, Mark Brown, Caroline Blackwell-Young, Stephanie Boothe, Karen Craver, Heather Lawson, Mariana Pardy, Bill Stanfield, Julie Turner, Mara Vitolins, Kathryn E. Weaver
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

TPS12151 Background: Pain is a common symptom among cancer patients and often is inadequately treated. Treatment guidelines recommend patients have access to behavioral interventions that educate about pain and pain management. Pain coping skills training (PCST) accomplishes these goals through teaching cognitive and behavioral coping skills shown to reduce pain. When delivered in in-person, PCST can substantially improve chronic pain conditions. Yet, these interventions are underused due to myriad barriers (high costs, shortage of therapists, travel needs). There is a critical need for improved options to help reduce cancer-related pain and related impairment that should include evidence-based PCST interventions capable of overcoming access barriers. To address this need, we developed a web-based PCST program using a novel expert systems approach that retains critical features of in-person PCST in an automated program that requires no therapist. PainTRAINER, is an 8-week, interactive PCST program using tailoring algorithms, a knowledge database, and a virtual coach to guide development of essential skills for coping with chronic pain. Methods: With funding from the NIH HEAL Initiative, we have undertaken a randomized, prospective, comparative effectiveness trial through the Wake Forest NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Research Base to determine the impact of painTRAINER on pain outcomes when compared to Enhanced Usual Care (EUC). Participants have a documented diagnosis of invasive cancer who are undergoing anticancer therapy or within 5 years of completing all cancer therapy. Participants must report cancer-related pain most days of the week of 4 or greater on the PROMIS Pain Intensity Scale; with pain of new onset or significantly exacerbated since cancer diagnosis. All participants receive usual care provided by their physician along with pain education materials. PainTRAINER arm participants have access to the painTRAINER program and a tutorial on how to use the program, and complete the painTRAINER modules on their own (1 session/week for 8 weeks). To enhance study access, patients without internet availability are provided a WiFi/cellular-enabled tablet during the intervention period. This trial examines short- and long-term outcomes measured immediately post-intervention and 3- and 6- months post-intervention. Primary outcomes are: pre- to post-intervention change in pain interference/severity. Secondary outcomes are: pain severity/interference at 3- and 6-month follow-up, opioid/analgesic use, health-related quality of life, and pain management self-efficacy. Qualitative interviews are conducted with a random sample of diverse participants who have completed the painTRAINER, and all who exit the study early, to subjectively assess experiences with pain and the clinical trial. Enrollment for this trial has begun (n = 36 of 456 patients enrolled) and is ongoing at 12 sites. Clinical trial information: NCT04462302.